Eli the Good

Its a book that yo really have o think about

It took some thinking for me to determine wheather or not that this was a good book. It really was. Eli is a a mature kid, so you also hve to grow up whole reading thos. It was a real touching book about his family actually coming together instea of favoring to certain people.

Eli the Good is better than good...

Eli and I were 10 in 1976. Silas House's novel took me back to the bicentennial, hometown parades, and the fear and loathing of Vietnam Vets that plagued our nation. House's writing is so personal and descriptive you feel like you are part of the memory. His references to television shows and pop music were lend historical perspective to the work.

From House's description of his father's service station, I could almost smell the Texaco station my uncles owned during my childhood.

My 11-year old daughter is reading the book now. I think it will give her insight into her parents' childhoods.

It is difficult to believe the same man penned Eli the Good and A Parchment of Leaves; though, I loved them both.

Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com

It's 1976 and 10-year-old Eli has a lot on his plate to deal with.

His father suffers from post-traumatic stress syndrome and frequently wakes up with nightmares, his sister's turning into a wild child, his Aunt Noel comes to live with them and is diagnosed with cancer, and his best friend, Edie, doesn't seem to want to be friends with him anymore.

When war hits close to home, Eli struggles against all hope to keep his life together. Will Eli survive the summer or will things gets worse?

An enjoyable tale that does a great job of portraying the realities of living in America during wartime. The text is well-written, the characters are believable and are easy to relate to. Readers will enjoy following Eli as he discovers who he is and what his family means to him amidst all the chaos and conflict life seems to bring his way.

Eli the Good is better than good!

Once again, Silas House does not disappoint. Eli the Good is a touching story of a 10 year old boy experiencing the pains of growing up in a house full of secrets in 1976. From flashbacks to the Vietnam war to frequent references to popular music of the time, House successfully takes the reader back in time to those days that were turbulent and yet, innocent at the same time. Having been Eli's sister, Josie's, age in 1976, I was immediately reminded of what it was like to be a teenager in those days. A wonderful read for young adults (or older adults...) as well!

Eli the Good is heartwarming

Silas House is the bestselling Kentucky author of CLAY'S QUILT, PARCHMENT OF LEAVES and THE COAL TATTOO - all centering around several generations of the same family growing up in the hills of Eastern Kentucky. With this book, Silas tries his hand a writing for young adults and he has ended up with an endearing look at a slice of life from the summer of 1976.

Eli Book is a ten year old boy, living like most children of the 1970s - riding his bicycle all over town, splashing in the town creek and enjoying hot summer days with his best friend Edie. This is really the coming of age story of how Eli deals with the overwhelming situations of strife in his young life.

Eli has undying love for his parents, Loretta and Stanton Book, but his growing curiosity of the secrets they both carry is threatening to eat him alive. Eli feels jealousy of his mother's unconditional love for his father - he wants to be the number one love of her life. Eli is filled with uncertainty and longing to understand his father's past as a Vietnam veteran and the nightmares that consume his dreams.

There is also underlying tension from Eli's sister, Josie, as she comes to grips with the fact that her mother was pregnant with her before Loretta and Stanton were married - she is not Stanton's biological daughter, but he has raised her as such. Then there is Stanton's way-ward, wildflower of a sister, Nell, who comes to live with the family for the summer. Stanton has unresolved feelings for his little sister because he feels betrayed that she was a war protester.

And then there is Edie, the sweet little girl from next door who has been Eli's best friend and confidante. Their friendship is pure and an accurate portrayal of childhood innocence of past decades. But she has family problems of her own and leans on Eli's family as her support system.

This is a book full of emotion and House's stylized lyrical prose. The words drip off the page and you want to lap them up, savoring every last drop and flavor. He has successfully written a compelling story that will not only capture the hearts of the intended young adult audience, but will hold an equal place in the hearts of adults. This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a great story and is destined to become a classic.

Eli the Good by Silas House is amazing.

Beautiful writing. The character stays with you long after you have finished the book. It accurately recreates what it feels like to be a child. Eli is so real his yearnings are palpable.

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